‘Excellent candidate' has Healy-Rae backing for Aras as frontrunner emerges to replace McGuinness after shock withdrawal
NEW NAME 'Excellent candidate' has Healy-Rae backing for Aras as frontrunner emerges to replace McGuinness after shock withdrawal
HEATHER Humphreys would make an 'excellent candidate' for Irish President, according to Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.
His comes come after the shock withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the race on health grounds.
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Heather Humphreys could become Fine Gael's new selection to run for the Aras
Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin
Former Cavan-Monaghan TD Humphreys has been given a 9/1 chance with bookmakers of moving into Aras an Uachtarain after the election later this year.
Fine Gael have been left assessing their next move after McGuinness announced on Thursday evening that she would not be running.
Today, Deputy Healy-Rae said he would 'wholeheartedly' back Ms Humphreys if the party nominate her.
The Kerry TD said: 'I would 100 per cent be in her favour. She's a highly capable lady.
'She would galvanise others outside her party and would appeal to a wider base than Fine Gael.
'There are people up and down the country, from all parties and none that would support her.
'Her performance over the years, her policies, the way she carried herself and the way she answered questions would all work in her favour.'
The former Minister for Justice and Minister for Social Protection retired from politics last year saying she wanted to spend time with her family, but is now understood to be considering her options.
McGuinness said she was stepping aside due to health concerns.
The Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the next few days to discuss their plans.
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McGuinness said she took the decision on medical advice.
Names previously associated with the candidacy also include Sean Kelly MEP and Frances Fitzgerald.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Following McGuinness's withdrawal, Tanaiste Simon Harris said that there is a great sense of shock in Fine Gael following her decision to pull out of the presidential race on health grounds.
In a statement, McGuinness said the decision was not taken lightly, and followed a stay in hospital last week.
Tanaiste Harris said McGuinness is a 'great colleague' and a 'great friend' and is somebody who has served her party and her country with distinction.
He said while she had been working hard in preparation for the presidential election, her health has to come first.
'THE RIGHT DECISION'
He said: 'It's absolutely crystal clear that on the basis of health advice, she is making the right decision.'
McGuinness said she is taking the decision on medical advice, and it is the 'right decision' for her and her family.
Her statement said: 'My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all.'
Fine Gael leader Harris said the party will convene its executive council in the days ahead and consider the next steps on any potential presidential candidate.
WELL WISHES
Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who launched her bid for the Aras last month, said McGuinness's decision came 'as a shock'.
She said: 'Without a doubt this decision could not have been an easy one for her to make. I would like to extend my best wishes to Mairead and her family at this time, and all the best for the future.'
Fianna Fail has yet to decide whether it will run a candidate, while Sinn Fein is considering its options, with a decision to be arrived at in a few weeks.
Businessman Gareth Sheridan has already launched his campaign for the Aras, and said he is confident he can be proposed and seconded by six local authorities after having secured the support of Tipperary and Laois county councils.
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